Mum protests demolition of popular Wiltshire play park

The Clarks Leaze play area in Yatton Keynell was flattened on Monday, January 29, when a digger was brought into the village to dispose of it on safety grounds.

But one local mum took drastic action to try and save the last remnants of the play area by sitting underneath its basketball hoop.

Georgina Dale, a resident of eight years, spent nearly ten hours sitting under the hoop, over two days, to prevent a “huge loss” for the community.

The mum-of-three said: “It was very cold, but I saw them knocking it down and decided to sit under the hoop to stop them.

“My boys are eight and 18 and use the hoop and my eight-year-old was in floods of tears so I didn’t want him to witness it being destroyed.

“It’s a hugely important facility and most residents wanted it to stay.”

The play park being demolished (Image: Georgina Dale)

Ms Dale was forced to leave the hoop for good on Tuesday, January 30, for a dentist appointment but told this paper she had “made her point.”

She believes her stance will send a message that a new park should be built on the site.

At the time of writing, the hoop was all that remained of the park but was due to be demolished within days.

Wiltshire Council owns the land and demolished the equipment for “safety” reasons.

Yatton Keynell Parish Council says the site will initially be restored to a grassed play area and insists the demolition was necessary for safety reasons.

A spokesperson said: “The parish council is in complete agreement that the existing play equipment, including the basketball hoop had to be removed on safety grounds.

“Wiltshire Council is clearing the site which will be restored to a grassed, open play area and maintained by them for recreational use.”

Georgina Dale with the hoop (Image: Georgina Dale)

A new play area could be built, but this will be the subject of a public consultation before any decisions are made.

The spokesperson added: “Any proposed changes will have to be put to Wiltshire Council for approval.

“We have been advised that if the use of the land is changed, the parish council will be expected to take on its upkeep and maintenance.

“We are therefore committed to undertaking a consultation on alternative recreational uses but, as this will result in additional costs to the precept, it is only right that the whole village is consulted over any future plans.”

Wiltshire Council leader Cllr Richard Clewer agreed the decision had been made so the area could remain a "safe" open space for children.

He added: "My administration is proposing a plan in the 2024/25 budget to renovate and then transfer to parish councils the remaining play areas, like this one, that Wiltshire Council is responsible for maintaining. 

"We aim to be having discussions with Yatton Keynell Parish Council about the possibilities assuming the budget is approved by Full Council.”